Progressing Towards the Girls’ Premiere

As our pregnancy is finally in the home stretch, we get to see our doctors and nurses 3-4 times per week! As of tomorrow, we will be 37 weeks pregnant which is a huge milestone, because this means the girls will be considered full-term!

This week, we have four appointments:

Monday – Non-stress Test

Tuesday – OB Appt

Wednesday – Hospital Ultrasound

Friday – Non-stress Test

I actually like having the appointments spread out because it gives me something to look forward to every day. I get to listen to the girls’ heart beats and see them on the ultrasound multiple times. It reassures me that everything is okay.

Today, we had our weekly check-up, and got some great news!

Katelyn has dropped, I am 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced!

If you are like me, you want to know what this means!

Dilation is the opening of the cervix. There are 4 different stages of dilation and we have entered the beginning phase!

Latent phase: 0-3 centimeters

Active Labor: 4-7 centimeters

Transition: 8-10 centimeters

Complete: 10 centimeters. Delivery takes place shortly after this stage is reached

Effacement refers to the thinning of the cervix. Prior to effacement, the cervix is long, usually 3-5cm in length. As the baby gets ready to come out, the cervix begins to shorten and thin out. According to our doctor, effacement is the important one to watch. Once a woman is 100% effaced, the babies are coming!

Every woman and body is different so we could be in this stage for a few days or a couple weeks. I still have not had any contractions, aside from braxton hicks, and am still feeling pretty good (for being 37 weeks pregnant…with twins!)

Our entire pregnancy has been great so far and now all we can do is sit and wait. We are on the girls’ watch and they will come when they are ready!